First dollar coverage with MERPs - with David Sloves

In this episode of the ShiftShapers podcast, David Sloves, CEO of Nonstop Health, discusses the evolution and impact of medical expense reimbursement plans (MERPs) in the health care industry. He explains how MERPs differ from traditional health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), HSAs, and FSAs by offering first-dollar coverage and customizable financial outcomes for both employers and employees. Sloves outlines the historical context of MERPs, their tax benefits, and how they aim to address the skyrocketing costs of health care and improve access to medical services. The conversation also covers the challenges of implementing MERPs, their role in enhancing employee satisfaction, recruitment, and retention, and the broader implications for the health care system in the United States. Through anecdotes and data, Sloves makes a case for MERPs as an ethical and effective solution to the current health care crisis. We wrap up by celebrating the successes of mission-driven companies in the health care industry, specifically how they’ve introduced advanced health care programs to employers. David Slove recounts overcoming initial skepticism and the strategies that led to significant financial benefits for clients, thanks to the MERP model. As we close, we reflect on the cascading impact of such inclusive health care initiatives. These efforts aren’t just reshaping employee benefits—they’re empowering businesses, stimulating the consulting community, and fostering a culture of retention and recruitment excellence from the heart of conservative states to the broader national arena.